82 
HORN EXPEDITION—AYES. 
[These widely-distributed birds were met witli in nearly every place where 
mulga scrub exists. Equally indifferent whether water was near or miles away, 
the lively note of the little White-faced Xerophila might be heard. Sometimes 
they appeared wary, whilst at other times tliey would perch close by whilst I 
listened to their merry song.] 
No. 42. Xerophila nigricincta. North. Black-banded Xerophila. 
Xerophila nigricincta^ North, Ibis, 1895, p. 340. 
Adult female .—General colour above pale cinnamon, becoming richer and 
darker on the back and rump, and slightly lighter on the crown of the head, where 
the feathers are centred with dull blackish brown; primaries, secondaries, and 
wing-coverts brown; the innermost secondaries broadly margined witli pale cinna¬ 
mon, the remainder slightly edged with the same colour on their outer w'ebs and 
tipped witli buffy-white; outer webs of the primaries and the tips of the greater 
wing-coverts narrowly edged with buffy-white; two centre tail-feathers dull blackish- 
brown faintly washed and tipped with pale cinnamon; the remainder blackish-browni, 
with a spot of white at the tip of the inner web, increasing in extent towairds the 
outermost feather, which is broadly tipped and narrowdy edged on the outer web 
with white; forehead, lores and fore part of the cheeks buffy-white, narrowly 
margined above with an indistinct blackish line ; ear-coverts, sides of the neck 
and upper tail-coverts pale cinnamon, the former having blackish bases; chin, 
throat and all the under surface dull white, slightly tinged with buff and crossed 
on the breast by a narrow black band ; feathers on the lower sides of the body 
subteriiiinally barred with rich chestnut; under tail-coverts white, slightly tinged 
with buff; under wing-covei’ts and inner margins of quills warm buff; bill black; 
legs and feet purplish-black. Total length 3-9 inches, wing 2’2, tail Iw, bill 
from gape 0*45, tarsus, 0'G8. 
The sexes are alike in plumage. 
Habitat .—Missionary Plain, Central Australia. 
Type .—In the Australian Museum, Sydney. 
Two males and one female were obtained. This new species of Xerophila is 
allied to X. pectoralis from Port Augusta, but from which it may be distinguished 
by having the breast crossed by a narrow black band, instead of a well defined 
band of cinnamon-brown across the chest, as in that species. 
Mr. Keartland has since i*eceived from Mr. E. 0. Cowle, of Central Australia, 
